Aquatic vehicle



Nov. 24, 1964 H. MAUER AQUATIC VEHICLE Filed May 22, 1962 INVENTOR lune/vars f/szMur b. M4051? .n\ EM w r. #3: 7v W ww \w mw MW 33 A United States Patent 3,158,129 AQUATIC VEHHILE Helrnut Horst Manor, 1923 Aldrich Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed May 22, 1962, Ser. No. 196,765 6 Claims. (Q1. 115-78) The following invention relates to improvements in aquatic vehicles and is more particularly directed to aquatic vehicles of the steerable self-propel-ledtype.

During the past decade or so, considerable effort has been directed toward the development of apparatus and devices for the enjoyment of recreation on aquatic bodies. One field of activity that has enjoyed considerable acceptance by the general public is the recreational sport of water skiing. Originally, this sport consisted of attaching a pair of skis, of suitable size, to the feet of a wearer and towing the user at a moderate to fast speed over the surface of a body of water through the intermediary of a tow-line. This arrangement, while ordinarily satisfactory, has become the subject of manyregulations due to the apparent lack of safety and disregard for the rights of othersusing the same body of water for other recreational purposes.

A further step in the development of the general art of skiing is illustrated in the Ritter et al. patent, No. 2,814,811, issued December .3, 1957, on an application led October 19, 195 3, for Water Vehicle. In this patent,

:and many others, a towablevehicle was utilized as distinguished from having the skis actually attached to the feet of the user., A ain, ,a tow-line was utilized to propel the vehicle through the water.

Further subsequent developments led to the self-pro pelled type of aquatic vehicle with which the present invention is concerned. An example of such a vehicle may be seen in the F. L. Chaffee patent, No. 2,940,409, issued June 14, 1960, filed August 27, 1956, for Water Craft. In this patent, a'boat shaped hull has mounted within it an outboard engine assembly. The propeller housing extends below into .the water and is positioned between a pair ofski members adapted to plane and support the body of the hull above the surface of the water. It may be noted that the entire control of the vehicle is at the discretion of the, user or the operator.

In the present invention, improved stability and performance characteristics and above all, improved safety of operation is provided in combination with simplified construction which may be manufactured and constructed in a more economical manner.

It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved self-propelled aquatic vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for propelling and steering a self-propelled aquatic veticle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for steering an aquatic vehicle.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a propulsion means for a self-propelled aquatic vehicle which is safer and more efiicient in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable propulsion unit for use with a self-propelled aquatic vehicle so as to allow for variations in weight of an operator.

' place by suitable fastening means.

"ice

These and other more detailed and specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is .a top view of a self-propelled aquatic vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed drawings of the rear portion of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing one embodiment of a steering mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a frame made up of members 11, 12, 16, 15, 19 and 28 is shown attached to a stationary ski member 33. The frame may be made of suitable tubing, or the like, and is of rigid construc tion. Stationary ski member 38 is provided with a fin '39 depending downwardly therefrom for increasing the longitudinal stability and preventing skidding of the vehicle during turns. Frame member 12 has rotatably journalled therein, a shaft member 71 to which is attached a handlebar member on for manual operation by the operator of the vehicle. At the lower end of shaft '70 axle 69 is transversely rotatably jom'nalled and has provided at either end connecting means 0 and 91 respectively for connection to steering cables, the purpose of which is to be explained below. A further member 68 extends forwardly of axle 69 and is connected to a pair of mounting members 61, connected at their lower. ends through rotatable mounting means 62 to the forward portion of movable ski member 66. A shaft 93 is connected to the rear end of ski member 66 .and extends in a telescoping arrangement within member 64 which ,is rotatably connected to axle 6%. A spring biasing member 1141 is utilized to urge shaft member 93 in a downward direction. The member 65 is positioned at the rear end of ski 66 for engagement by the foot of an operator so as to hold the rear end of ski 66 in the downward extended position; Corresponding reference characters 66, 67 and 65' applied to the dotted portion of FIG. 2 show the ski in its extended position.

A seat member 17 is mounted on top of frame members 16' and'may be of suitable size and material to comfortably support the operator. Buoyancy member 13 is mounted within frame 10 and is provided for the purpose of maintaining the vehicle in an upright position at or near the surface of the Water when at rest; Mem ber 13 may be an air tank or may be comprised of suitable buoyant material, for example, foamed plastic and is held in place by suitable fastening means.

A water-tight housing 21 is provided within therear portion of the frame and is in communication with the atmosphere through a pair of snorkel tubes 18' was to provide air inlet and exhaust outlet means for the driving means 22 contained therein. Housing 21 may be held in Driving means 22 may be any suitable source of rotational energlhfor example, an electric motor or an, internal. combustion engine. It is contemplated that the newly developed internal combustion engine known as the Wankel engine will adequately serve as a driving means in this vehicle It is understood, of course, that other types of engines may also be suitable.

A propulsion tube means 1% is mounted in position beneath stationary ski 38 and in proximity to its rearward portion. Propulsion tube means 1% includes a circular shroud 27 whichis rotatably mounted about a vertical 'axis'at bearing means 28 to shaft 30. A shaft 26 is journalled for rotation within shroud member '27 in suitable bearing means 53 and 54. A pair of propellers 51 and 52 are mounted on shaft 26. Shaft 26 is shown operatively connected to the output of driving means 22 by a pair of universal couplings 23 and 25 and drive shaft 24. This particular driving arrangement is shown by way of illustration only as it will be clear to those skilled in the art that-other driving means, such as flexible shafts and the like, may also be used.

Afhollow shaft member 34 :is fixed to the top surface of shroud '27 and'is rotatablerwith respect thereto. A shaft .33 extends through shroud 27 in proximity to .its rearward end and is journalled in shaft 34 for rotation with respect .to shroud 27. A :rudder member 32 is lfixedly attached to shaft 33. Hollow shaft member 34 is fixedly connected-to .arm member 35 having an elongated opening 101 which in turn is journalled for rotation and reciprocation on azfixed shaft which is moun'tedin .sta- 'tionary'ski member 38. Member 37, shown in "arcuate shape, is rigidly attached to arm.35 and extends laterally therefrom for connection to a pair of steering cables and 46. A further .pair .of steering cables 41 and 42 are connected to a transversely extending arm 36 which is nonrotatably connected to shaft 33. Cables 41 and 42 are connected to rudder cables '45 and 46 by connectors '44 1and43. Cables-45 and 46 extend forwardly to a pair of conduits, 70, therefor, and to connections 90 and .91

respectively. While not shown in detail on the draw- :ings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the :art that :in order'for the steering handle bar '60 to elfect a turn in the direction which it is being turned, a reversal of this motionmust be applied 'to the propulsion .tube means and the rudder must be used. The means of achieving this phenomenon are not shown 'on'the drawing although longitudinal .axis of propulsion tube assembly 100 with 3 :respect to the longitudinal axis of ski member '38, the :stability of the'vehicle may be adjusted in accordance with the weight of the operator. By having a'negative angle 1of.the longitudinal axis of the propulsion tube assembly, there is a tendency for the propulsion tube to pull the aft, 'or:rearward end, of ski member '38 down into the water to' provide increased stability. 0n the other hand, lby;having a positive angle with respect to the axis of the ski member 38, a force will be exerted upwardly to :aid in lifting ski member 38 toward the surface of the water and may be used to compensate for the additional weight of an operator. It will be'apparent that the speed and stability of the vehicle maybe suitably modified in accordance with'the operators wishes.

.It may now be apparent that the propulsion supplied in the present'invention is that of ajjet of water which is essentially harmless to the operator or otherswho may inadvertently come into contact with the vehicle. This feature alone will'result in' the elimination ofa substantial numberof accidents involving aquatic recreational sports and activities.

In operation, the vehicle is placed in the water and the operator .is .seated .on the vehicle with his feet in engagement with member -on the forwardski 66 so as to maintainit in the extended position shown indotted outline of FIG. 2. It will be apparent to those :skilled in the artthat a so-called dead mans throttle is desirable in this type of vehicle and it is contemplated that such a device will be incorporated. The forward thrust provided by the jet of water from the outlet of propulsion tube assembly 100 in combination with the support afforded by the relative movement between the stationary and forward ski members will rapidly bring the vehicle into a planing position on the surface of the water. Desired trimming of the operation of the vehicle may be then effected by the operator through suitable adjustment of the angle of propulsion tube assembly 100 by actuation of crank means 31.

In order to effect turns with the vehicle, handle bar member 60 is turned by the operator to turn forward ski 66 about the substantially vertical axis of shaft 12 and to rotate first the propulsion tube assembly 100, for shallow turns, and subsequently the rudder member 32, so as to deflect .the stream of'water for deeper turns.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the position of the rudder and propulsion tube assembly for deep and shallow turns, respectively,.are shown. In FIG-4, the rotation .of handle bar'60 through asmall angle applies a'forward force to cable 45 from connecting .means and allows cable "46 remove in arearward direction from connectingmeans 91. .This turns thelaterally extending member 37 so as to position the rear end ofpropulsiontube assembly slightly oifrcenter and therefore ata slight angle to the longitudinalaxisof stationaryski member 38. The slack presentin cables 41 .and 42 allows the rudder member 32 to remain parallel to the longitudinal axis of the propulsion tube assembly. This allows the efiiciency of the propulsion tube assembly to .remain the .same as that which is attained for normal straight line operation. Should a deeper turn be desired, further movement of handle :bar member 60 in the same direction removes the slack from cableimember 42 connected to cable 45 at connector 43 which rotates laterally extending member 36 connected to .shaft.33. Thisserves to .position the rudder at 'a predetermined angle withrespectto .the langitudinal axis of thepropulsion tube assembly 100 :so as to deflect the stream of .fluidthere'from and aid .in turning the vehicle. .At .thistime, the slack in cable 41 is suf- .ficient to allow rotation of shaft 33 and positioning of rudder '32 .toeiTect the desired turn.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made .in the structure as disclosed, provided such modi- .fica-tionscome within the spiritandscope of the appended .claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described :myinvention, what .Iclaim to be new and desire .to .protect by Letters ;Patent is:

1. In a self-propelled aquatic vehicle 'of the type wherein stationary andsteerable skisare utilized to sup- ;port a .rider upon movement over a body of water; a propulsion .tube meansmounted for lateral rotational movement .at its top forward end .below the rear end .of a stationary .ski and rotatably mounted at its top rearward end to one end of a movable mountingttherefor, said :movable mounting being rotatably journalled at .its otherendIin proximity-totherear end ofsaid stationary.-ski; .andmanually operablemeans for rotating said movable mounting.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in 'which said manually operable means are operative simultaneously to turn a steerable ski.

-3. The apparatus :of claim 1 :in'which a rudder isroitatably .journalled in thetrearward end of said propulsion tube means and is connected "to the 'manuallyoperable =4. iTheapparatus of claim 3 in .Which' the-rudder-is rotated only after the movable journal has moved a :predetermined 'distance.

5. The apparatus :of claim '1 inwhichthe top forward end of the propulsion tube means is vertically adjust- :"able "through the mounting therefor.

-'6..A self-propelled aquatic vehicle comprising in com- :bination; a buoyant longitudinally extending frame having a generally vertically extending'shaft,:including menual driving means therefor, rotatably journaled at the forward extremity of said frame; a first ski mounted on the bottom of said frame; a second ski pivotally connected to the lower end of said shaft for rotation about an axis extending laterally of said shaft; means mounted on the top rearward portion of said last named ski for engagement by an operator of the vehicle for rotating said ski to an initial starting position; motor means carried Within the frame and including a waterproof housing; and means connecting said motor means to a driving means disposed beneath said first ski.

References Qited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A SELF-PROPELLED AQUATIC VEHICLE OF THE TYPE WHEREIN STATIONARY AND STEERABLE SKIS ARE UTILIZED TO SUPPORT A RIDER UPON MOVEMENT OVER A BODY OF WATER; A PROPULSION TUBE MEANS MOUNTED FOR LATERAL ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT AT ITS TOP FORWARD END BELOW THE REAR END OF A STATIONARY SKI AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED AT ITS TOP REARWARD END TO ONE END OF A MOVABLE MOUNTING THEREFOR, SAID MOVABLE MOUNTING BEING ROTATABLY JOURNALLED AT ITS OTHER END IN PROXIMITY TO THE REAR END OF SAID STATIONARY SKI; AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID MOVABLE MOUNTING.
 6. A SELF-PROPELLED AQUATIC VEHICLE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION; A BUOYANT LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FRAME HAVING A GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING SHAFT, INCLUDING MANUAL DRIVING MEANS THEREFOR, ROTATABLY JOURNALED AT THE FORWARD EXTREMITY OF SAID FRAME; A FIRST SKI MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF SAID FRAME; A SECOND SKI PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING LATERALLY OF SAID SHAFT; MEANS MOUNTED ON THE TOP REARWARD PORTION OF SAID LAST NAMED SKI FOR ENGAGEMENT BY AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE FOR ROTATING SAID SKI TO AN INITIAL STARTING POSITION; MOTOR MEANS CARRIED WITHIN THE FRAME AND INCLUDING A WATERPROOF HOUSING; AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID MOTOR MEANS TO A DRIVING MEANS DISPOSED BENEATH SAID FIRST SKI. 